MONARCH JOINT VENTURE

Partnering across the U.S. to conserve the monarch migration

w w w. m o n a r c h j o i n t v e n t u r e . o r g

The Monarch Joint Venture

is a partnership of federal
and state agencies, non-
Plant Milkweed for Monarchs
governmental organizations,
Monarchs cannot survive without milkweed. Monarch caterpillars
and academic programs that
need milkweed plants (Asclepias spp.) to grow and develop, and
are working together to protect
female monarch butterflies only lay their eggs on milkweed. With
the monarch migration across
shifting land management practices, we have lost much milkweed
the lower 48 United States. from the landscape. Please plant milkweed to support monarch
populations, and their incredible migration! Planting milkweed is a
MISSION

Dave Wendelken
great way to help other pollinators too, as milkweed provides
Recognizing that North
nectar resources to a diverse suite of bees and butterflies.
American monarch (Danaus
plexippus) conservation is a
responsibility of Mexico, Canada
Northeast Region Milkweed Species
and the U.S., as identified in
the North American Monarch
Conservation Plan, this Joint
Venture will coordinate
efforts throughout the U.S. to
conserve and protect monarch
Common Milkweed Swamp Milkweed
Milkweed Regions
populations and their migratory
Asclepias syriaca Asclepias incarnata There are many native milkweed species in
phenomena by developing Damp, marshy areas.
Well drained soils. each of the six “Milkweed Regions” shown on
and implementing science- Photo by Louis-M. Landry Photo by Janet Allen
this map. The species highlighted are known
based habitat conservation
to be used by monarchs, and are easy to
and restoration measures in
establish. Please try to find plants grown as
collaboration with multiple
close as possible to where you’ll be planting
stakeholders.
them, and from the closest possible seed source.
Our mission will be achieved
by coordinating and
Butterfly Weed Whorled Milkweed
facilitating partnerships and Asclepias tuberosa Asclepias verticillata
communications in the U.S. Well drained soils. Prairies and open areas.
and North America to deliver Photo by Thomas Muller, Lady Photo © Kim Davis & Mike Stangeland
Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
a combination of habitat
conservation, education, and
research and monitoring.
Poke Milkweed
Asclepias exaltata
VISION Woodland areas (except in
The vision of this Joint NE, KS, MO, ND & SD).
Photo by David Smith
Venture is abundant monarch
populations to sustain the Note: Although commercial availability is limited, A. purpurascens and A. sullivantii are also recommended in the Northeast region.
monarch migratory phenomena South Central Region Milkweed Species
into perpetuity, and more
broadly to promote monarchs
as a flagship species whose
conservation will sustain
habitats for pollinators and
other plants and animals.
Green Antelopehorn Milkweed Antelopehorns Milkweed Zizotes Milkweed
Asclepias viridis Asclepias asperula Asclepias oenotheroides
Monarch Joint Venture Dry areas and prairies. Also Desert and sandy areas. Sandy/rocky prairies and fields.
University of Minnesota known as green milkweed. Photo by Kip Kiphart Photo by Jennifer Kleinrichert
monarchs@monarchjointventure.org Photo by Harlen Aschen
Southeast Region Milkweed Species

Butterfly Weed Whorled Milkweed White Milkweed Aquatic Milkweed Sandhill/Pinewoods

Asclepias tuberosa Asclepias verticillata Asclepias variegata Asclepias perennis Milkweed
Well drained soils. Prairies and open areas. Thickets and Woodlands. Hydrated soils. Asclepias humistrata
Photo by Thomas Muller, Lady Photo © Kim Davis & Mike Stangeland Photo by Melton Wiggins Photo © Kim Davis & Mike Stangeland For use in some regions of FL.
Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Dry sandy areas and soils.
Photo © Kim Davis and Mike Stangeland
Note: Asclepias syriaca and Asclepias incarnata are native to parts of this region and may also be suitable species to plant. More
details on the native range of each species can be found at: http://bonap.net/NAPA/TaxonMaps/Genus/County/Asclepias

Western Region Milkweed Species

NOTE: Excludes Arizona; see below for Arizona milkweed.
Mexican Whorled Milkweed
Asclepias fascicularis
Dry climates and plains, except
in CO, UT, NM & AZ.
Photo by Christopher Christie
Arizona Milkweed Species
Selecting and Finding Milkweed Plants
While any of the species listed here can be grown
in garden settings, please use species that are native
to your county for larger restoration projects.
You can find more information about milkweed,
Showy Milkweed together with a directory of native plant vendors
Asclepias speciosa that sell milkweed plants and seeds, on our website:
Savannahs and prairies.
Photo by Robert Potts © California
Academy of Sciences www.plantmilkweed.org

Butterfly Weed Antelopehorns Milkweed Rush Milkweed Arizona Milkweed

Asclepias tuberosa Asclepias asperula Asclepias subulata Asclepias angustifolia
Well drained soils. Desert and sandy areas. Desert areas. Riparian areas and canyons.
Photo by Gail Morris Photo by Kip Kiphart Photo by Gail Morris Photo by Morris Family

California Milkweed Species

Mexican Whorled Milkweed Showy Milkweed Desert Milkweed California Milkweed

Asclepias fascicularis Asclepias speciosa Asclepias erosa Asclepias californica
Dry climates and plains. Savannahs and prairies. Desert regions. Grassy areas.
Photo by Christopher Christie Photo by Robert Potts © California Photo by Christopher Christie Photo by Christopher Christie
Academy of Sciences

Heartleaf Milkweed Woolly Milkweed Woolly Pod Milkweed

Asclepias cordifolia Asclepias vestita Asclepias eriocarpa
Rocky slopes. Dry deserts and plains. Clay soils and dry areas.
Photo by Dee E. Warenycia Photo © 2010 Neal Kramer Photo by Br. Alfred Brousseau,
St. Mary’s College
*Common names vary from place to place, so
we have used the USDA names for consistency.